Flexible segmented stent

Abstract

A radially expandable segmented stent having plastic, i.e., permanent deformation, connectors interconnecting each segment.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A segmented stent comprising a plurality of generally annular and radially expandable stent segments, segments which are adjacent to one another being interconnected by at least one interconnector element of a plastically deformable material wherein the stent segments are made of a material which does not exhibit permanent deformation. 
     
     
       2. The segemented stent of  claim 1  wherein the stent segments are of closed cell construction. 
     
     
       3. The segmented stent of  claim 1  wherein the stent segments are coated with a polymeric material and the interconnector elements of plastically deformable material are fused to the polymeric material. 
     
     
       4. The segmented stent of  claim 3  wherein the polymeric material and the interconnector elements of plastically deformable material are of different composition. 
     
     
       5. The segmented stent of  claim 1  including at least one segment having at least one anchor point means for receiving one of the interconnector elements and the interconnector element received by the anchor point means includes interfitting means for connection to the anchor point means. 
     
     
       6. The segmented stent of  claim 5  wherein the anchor point means forms a raised portion and the interfitting means on the interconnector element comprises an opening sized to fit over the anchor point means and interlock therewith. 
     
     
       7. The segmented stent of  claim 5  wherein the interconnector element includes at each end a raised portion and the stent segments each include at least one opening sized to receive a raised portion and interlock therewith. 
     
     
       8. The segmented stent of  claim 1  wherein each stent segment is designed and arranged as an independent stent body capable of individual support in a body vessel. 
     
     
       9. The segmented stent of  claim 1  wherein the interconnector elements are biodegradable. 
     
     
       10. The segmented stent of  claim 1  wherein the stent segments are of closed cell construction and are self-expandable. 
     
     
       11. A segmented stent comprising a plurality of generally annular and radially expandable stent segments, segments which are adjacent one another being interconnected by at least one interconnector element of a plastically deformable material having deformation properties which differ from those of the segments to provide flexible yet constrained relative motions between the stent segments wherein the stent segments are of self-expanding construction. 
     
     
       12. The segmented stent of  claim 11  wherein the stent segments are of a shape memory material. 
     
     
       13. A segmented stent comprising a plurality of generally annular and radially expandable stent segments, segments which are adjacent one another being interconnected by at least one interconnector element of a plastically deformable material to provide flexible yet constrained relative motions between the stent segments wherein the stent segments are of balloon expandable construction and are of metal and the interconnector elements are of a different metal, exhibiting different permanent deformation characteristics than the stent segments. 
     
     
       14. A stent comprising a plurality of generally annular and radially self-expanding stent segments, segments which are adjacent one another being interconnected by at least one interconnector element of a viscoelastically deformable material to provide flexible yet constrained relative motions between the stent segments. 
     
     
       15. The segmented stent of  claim 14  wherein the stent segments are of closed cell construction. 
     
     
       16. The segmented stent of  claim 14  wherein the stent segments are of balloon expandable construction and are of metal and the interconnector elements are of a different metal, exhibiting different permanent deformation characteristics than the stent segments. 
     
     
       17. The segmented stent of  claim 14  wherein each stent segment is designed and arranged as an independent stent body capable of individual support in a body vessel. 
     
     
       18. The segmented stent of  claim 14  wherein the interconnector elements are biodegradable. 
     
     
       19. The segmented stent of  claim 14  wherein the stent segments are of closed cell construction and are self-expandable. 
     
     
       20. A stent comprising a plurality of generally annular and radially expandable metal stent segments of non-viscoelastically deformable material, segments which are adjacent one another being interconnected by at least one interconnector element of a viscoelastically deformable material to provide flexible yet constrained relative motions between the stent segments. 
     
     
       21. The segmented stent of  claim 20  wherein the stent segments are of a shape memory material. 
     
     
       22. The segmented stent of  claim 20  wherein the stent segments are coated with a polymeric material and the interconnector elements are fused to the polymer coating. 
     
     
       23. The segmented stent of  claim 22  wherein the polymeric material and the interconnectors are of different compositions. 
     
     
       24. The segmented stent of  claim 20  including at least one segment having at least one anchor point means for receiving one of the interconnector elements and the interconnector element received by the anchor point means includes interfitting means for connection to the anchor point means. 
     
     
       25. The segmented stent of  claim 24  wherein the anchor point means forms a raised portion and the interfitting means on the interconnector comprises an opening sized to fit over the anchor point means and interlock therewith. 
     
     
       26. The segmented stent of  claim 24  wherein the interconnector includes at each end a raised portion and the stent segments each include at least one opening sized to receive a raised portion and interlock therewith. 
     
     
       27. The segmented stent of  claim 24  wherein the interconnector elements are of polymeric material. 
     
     
       28. An expandable stent comprising a plurality of generally annular stent segments made of a first material, segments which are adjacent one another being interconnected by at least one interconnector element of a second material having different deformation properties from the first material, the first material being a shape memory material and the second material plastically deformable. 
     
     
       29. The stent of  claim 28  wherein the shape memory material is a shape memory metal. 
     
     
       30. An expandable stent comprising a plurality of generally annular stent segments including a first annular segment and a second annular segment, the first and second annular segments made of a first material and interconnected by at least one interconnector element of a second material, the second material of different composition from the first material.